INDUSTRY NEWS
In celebrating International Women in Engineering Day( INWED) on June 23 2025, AECOM proudly showcased two inspiring engineers, Nyiko Khosa and Kerisha Govender. Their journeys embody the # EnhancedbyEngineering theme of this year’ s INWED, underscoring how engineering elevates lives and how diverse perspectives enrich these solutions
KERISHA GOVENDER
NYIKO KHOSA
Established by the Women’ s Engineering Society( WES), INWED is the sole international awareness campaign dedicated to elevating the profile of women in engineering and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion( DEI) within STEM fields. The 2025 theme underscores engineering’ s crucial role in addressing global challenges and constructing a brighter future, while also recognizing the women at the forefront of these efforts.
AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, cultivates an inclusive environment that champions gender equality and empowers women to excel in engineering. Through its graduate programs, mentorship initiatives, and school outreach, AECOM is actively shaping the future of engineering by nurturing diverse talent.
NYIKO KHOSA: A CHAMPION FOR WATER SOLUTIONS AND STEM DIVERSITY AT AECOM Nyiko Khosa joined AECOM’ s Process Water Division as an Associate Engineer in March 2025, bringing over 15 years of invaluable experience. A qualified chemical engineer, Nyiko’ s journey into engineering was driven by a passion for numbers and problem-solving, leading her to make a pivotal career change from psychology.
Her motivation for her work is deeply rooted in its impact:“ Chemical engineers bring something to life that improves the quality of life for people. Process engineering is foundational. If the processes are not right, nothing else works.”
Nyiko’ s dedication to the water sector extends beyond engineering challenges; she sees it as a matter of dignity and equity. She states,“ Good sanitation is good dignity. My ambition is to ultimately influence policy and planning decisions around water, even internationally. We need to prioritise access, sustainability and smarter usage of this scarce resource.”
Furthermore, Nyiko believes INWED( International Women in Engineering Day) is crucial for addressing gender imbalances in STEM fields. She emphasizes the need to inspire young women, stating,“ Girls at high school often do not consider engineering because it is seen as male-dominated. We need to reach them early and show them that they are just as capable. With the right focus, maths and science skills, they can become engineers, too.”
KERISHA GOVENDER: A DECADE OF DRIVING TRANSPORT INNOVATION Kerisha Govender, a Senior Engineer in AECOM’ s Transportation Planning Division, brings over ten years of experience to her role, contributing to both local and international projects, including some in Georgia, USA. Her journey in civil engineering began at age 11, captivated by a documentary on the Dubai Palm Islands, which sparked her fascination with the intricate world of infrastructure planning. She was particularly drawn to how civil engineers analyze traffic flow, forecast demand, and apply geometric design principles to optimize road networks and strategically place bridge structures. This early intrigue led her to specialize in transportation engineering, a field that provided the analytical frameworks and design methodologies she sought.
Starting her career at SANRAL, Kerisha has since refined her expertise across both public and private sectors. She furthered her education, completing a
Master’ s in Transport Engineering in 2020, and registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa in 2021. Kerisha is passionate about continuously deepening her technical proficiency in transportation engineering while progressively moving into strategic leadership positions. Her goal is to align engineering solutions with broader organizational and infrastructure development objectives.
Reflecting on her experience, Kerisha notes,“ AECOM’ s global footprint gives us exposure to different standards and ways of thinking. It is a dynamic and exciting environment for any engineer.” She emphasizes the significance of INWED, stating,“ This platform serves to increase awareness of female engineers’ contributions to the engineering profession and is to inspire the next generation of female engineers.” During her tertiary education, Kerisha observed a scarcity of female civil engineers with whom she could discuss the realities of the working environment. Today, initiatives like INWED are crucial for increasing visibility, fostering mentorship, and supporting the development of a more inclusive and diverse engineering workforce.
GUIDANCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Both Kerisha and Nyiko offer valuable insights for young women considering a STEM career, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and informed decision-making.
Kerisha advises aspiring professionals to“ research your options, find what speaks to your passion, and connect with people in the industry. Think short, medium, and long term so you make strategic choices that align with your goals.”
Nyiko echoes this sentiment, urging individuals to“ find something that ties in with your strength and passion. And never let your background define you. Even if you are from a rural school, there are resources, mentors, and opportunities out there. You just need to believe that you can achieve it.” aBr WORDS IN ACTION 04 JULY 2025